A cohort of 19 outstanding young professionals from around the UK took centre stage last night in Herning, Denmark, as the
EuroSkills Finals officially opened before a packed stadium. The sell-out ceremony marked the beginning of Europe’s largest skills competition, where 600 of the continent’s finest apprentices and former apprentices will compete across dozens of disciplines.
Among the competitors are specialists in some of the most critical industrial sectors, and will be competig in the following categories: Industry 4.0, Mechatronics, Electronics, CNC Milling, and Mechanical Engineering CAD.
Caolan McCartan and Patrick Sheerin, both from County Armagh and training at Southern Regional College, will compete in Industry 4.0. They work respectively for Pronto Engineering Group and A J Power. In the Mechatronics category, John Doherty and Jason McVerry, also from County Armagh and training at the same college will represent the UK; they work at Norbrook Laboratories Ltd and Redrock Machinery.
Evan Klimazsewski from Holyhead, Wales, will showcase his expertise in Electronics. He is training at Grwp Llandrillo Menai and is employed by Lockheed Martin UK. CNC Milling is represented by Tomas Ankers from Wrexham, Wales, who trains at Coleg Cambria and works for Electroimpact. Stuart Lyons, from Lanark, Scotland, will compete in Mechanical Engineering CAD. He is training at New College Lanarkshire and works for Glacier Energy.
Litmus testThe competition, which runs from 10–13 September, is widely regarded as a litmus test of how well nations are preparing their workforce for the demands of a competitive global marketplace. Over three days, participants will undergo rigorous practical and theoretical assessments designed to mirror real-world industry challenges. Judged by panels of international experts, medals will be awarded to those who demonstrate exceptional skill, innovation, and composure under pressure.
Ben Blackledge, chief executive of
WorldSkills UK, said: “We are so excited to be here in Denmark with this fantastic group of young professionals as they head for Denmark to compete. They will be tested to the highest standards, showcasing the skills that global employers are looking for, and will return to the UK with the knowledge and experience that will turbo-charge their careers. EuroSkills is ultimately a test of how internationally competitive UK skills are. It gives us the impetus to raise standards at home and help more young people get high quality jobs.”
Freya Thomas Monk, managing director of
Pearson Qualifications, added: “Celebrating the best of technical and vocational education and raising the prestige of the sector is very important to us. I wish Team UK the best of luck as they compete in Denmark.”
Team UK has been selected, trained and managed by WorldSkills UK, with support from Pearson. Their participation not only reflects individual excellence but also the strength of the UK’s vocational education system and its alignment with industry needs. As the competition unfolds, the spotlight will remain firmly on these young professionals, whose performance will speak volumes about the future of UK manufacturing and engineering.